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Leather seats

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Henrik Helmers, May 20, 2021.

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  1. Henrik Helmers

    Henrik Helmers Active Member

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    My car was sold with «leather seats». But based on what I read here I just assumed it was synthetic.

    But now a bit of wear is making me wonder if it is leather. How can I tell? How should I treat it?

    PS: This is an European/Norwegian model.
     
    #1 Henrik Helmers, May 20, 2021
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  2. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    In the U.S., the seats on new Prius Prime cars are covered only with fabric or SofTex material, Toyota’s synthetic leather. In Europe, however—according to the Electronic Parts Catalog—at least some Prius PHV cars can have natural leather.
    Look on the certification label affixed to the B pillar inside the left front door. After “C/TR,” there should be two codes separated by a slash (/). The first code (three characters) indicates the exterior paint color (C), and the second code (four characters) indicates the interior trim (TR) material and color. If the first character of the trim code is “L,” the seat covers are leather; “E,” SofTex, or “F,” fabric. Please do let us know what you find.
     
    #2 Elektroingenieur, May 20, 2021
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  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The North American model strictly has SofTex synthetic leather but European and Japanese spec cars have optional real leather trim.

    Well the "crease" test is easy. Press down on a seat surface (something your body would normally touch like the front of the seat bottom or seat back but not the rear of the seat back that faces the rear passengers or the outer parts of the bolster). If the upholstery creases, it's leather. If it doesn't, it's SofTex.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, May 21, 2021
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  4. Henrik Helmers

    Henrik Helmers Active Member

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    I suppose it really is leather then. Will try to give it some proper care. Thank you.

    IMG_0912.jpeg
     
    #4 Henrik Helmers, May 21, 2021
    Tideland Prius, Elektroingenieur, Leadfoot J. McCoalroller and 1 other person like this.
  5. brenthon

    brenthon Junior Member

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    Try to check out swissvax. They have some good leather care products.
     
    #5 brenthon, Jun 22, 2021
  6. buenavides1

    buenavides1 Junior Member

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    Maintaining leather seats will not be that hard, make sure to use the right product. You can read reviews on the internet so that they can last longer.
     
    #6 buenavides1, Jun 22, 2021
  7. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Thank goodness we have some nations out there with common sense!

    While I tend not to like leather in car seating surfaces, that's a personal choice, and it's good that some nations out there stick up for the millions of Naugas out there that are senselessly butchered just to up-sell people on options.

    We don't even use the meat....
     
    #7 ETC(SS), Jun 23, 2021
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  8. Hicksite

    Hicksite Member

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    I thought Naugas were endangered now!
     
    #8 Hicksite, Jun 23, 2021
  9. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    They will be in a post-petrol society.....
     
    #9 ETC(SS), Jun 23, 2021
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